What does it mean to have stomach pain accompanied by shock?

Generally, stomach pain accompanied by shock may be caused by extreme emotional stress, severe dehydration, acute pancreatitis, acute gastric perforation, intestinal obstruction, and other factors. Symptomatic treatment such as general management, medication, or surgical treatment may be needed. If symptoms are severe, timely medical consultation is recommended, and treatment should follow medical advice. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Extreme Emotional Stress

In rare cases, extreme emotional stress, such as intense fear, anxiety, or nervousness, may cause autonomic nervous system dysfunction, leading to stomach pain and even shock. Symptoms may include palpitations, chest tightness, and rapid breathing associated with autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The patient should be moved immediately to a quiet and comfortable environment to relieve anxiety.

2. Severe Dehydration

Severe dehydration caused by intense vomiting, diarrhea, or other factors may lead to a sharp decrease in blood volume, affecting cardiac output and blood pressure, resulting in shock. Dehydration may also impair normal gastrointestinal function, causing stomach pain, accompanied by typical symptoms such as dry mouth, dry tongue, and reduced skin elasticity. Immediate fluid replacement therapy should be initiated to restore blood volume and stabilize blood pressure.

3. Acute Pancreatitis

Conditions such as gallstones, excessive alcohol consumption, and hyperlipidemia may trigger acute pancreatitis, in which digestive enzymes within the pancreas are abnormally activated, leading to autodigestion, pancreatic tissue damage, and inflammatory reactions. Inflammatory mediators released during the inflammatory process may cause systemic inflammatory response syndrome, which can lead to shock. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, and fever. It is recommended to use medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, tramadol hydrochloride sustained-release tablets, and cefixime granules under medical guidance for treatment.

4. Acute Gastric Perforation

Gastric ulcers or advanced gastric cancer can destroy gastric wall tissue, leading to acute gastric perforation. Gastric contents such as gastric acid and digestive enzymes may leak into the abdominal cavity, irritating the peritoneum and causing chemical peritonitis. Subsequent bacterial infection can further exacerbate the inflammatory response, leading to the spread of peritonitis and septic shock. Symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, abdominal muscle tension, and rebound tenderness. Emergency surgery is required to repair the perforation site and remove infectious materials from the abdominal cavity. Medications such as mosapride citrate tablets, gastric mucosa protective capsules, and esomeprazole magnesium enteric-coated tablets should be used under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.

5. Intestinal Obstruction

Intestinal obstruction may occur due to tumor compression, foreign body blockage, or other causes, preventing intestinal contents from passing smoothly through the intestines, leading to symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and cessation of defecation and flatus. Severe intestinal obstruction may cause intestinal wall ischemia and necrosis, leading to intestinal strangulation and shock. Besides stomach pain, symptoms may include vomiting, abdominal distension, and cessation of defecation and flatus. Gastrointestinal decompression should be performed initially, followed by surgical treatments such as adhesion lysis or intestinal resection and anastomosis under medical guidance.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain a bland diet and avoid consuming spicy or irritating foods to help maintain gastrointestinal health.

References

[1] Zhan Qingfei. Application of Multislice Spiral CT in the Diagnosis of Small Bowel Obstruction [J]. Chinese Urban and Rural Enterprise Health, 2025, 40(03): 110-112.

[2] Ding Rong, Liu Jia, Li Jianqiang, et al. A Case of Esophageal Perforation Misdiagnosed as Intestinal Obstruction [J]. Chinese Journal of Drugs and Clinic, 2025, 25(01): 63-65.